The Thrall Tigers varsity football team lost its first district game of the season 70-7 against the Lexington Eagles on Friday, Oct. 11, as Lexington dominated from start to finish.
Offensively, Thrall struggled to find momentum, failing to convert a first down on its first three drives. The Eagles shut down the Tigers’ rushing attack, forcing senior quarterback Chance Parker into difficult third-and-long situations. Parker threw for Thrall’s only touchdown of the game. Meanwhile, Lexington capitalized on the Tigers’ struggles, getting on the board first with a seven-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter.
Thrall earned its first conversion of the game on the next drive thanks to a couple of tough runs by senior running back Avery Gomez, but the Tigers were forced to punt just a few plays later. Gomez was one of the few bright spots for Thrall’s offense, contributing several positive gains in an otherwise tough game. Head coach Aaron Vanecek acknowledged Lexington’s strong defensive performance.
“They’re a really good football team,” Vanecek said. “They’re tough to run against and play solid man coverage. If you can’t run the ball, can’t win matchups and don’t call the right plays at the right times, stuff happens.”
Defensively, the Tigers also struggled, allowing Lexington to score on each of its first-half possessions. Eagles junior quarterback Kase Evans led a potent offense, with senior wide receiver Mason Biehle catching three touchdowns.
Biehle also returned a punt 45 yards for a score.
Lexington added another special teams touchdown, returning the opening kick of the third quarter to make it 63-0.
Senior wide receiver Landon Gregory was Parker’s top target, recording one of the few first downs for the Tigers with a 10-yard reception. On defense, senior lineman Trace Riggs and sophomore defensive back Josh Lopez led the effort.
Riggs recorded a sack, while Lopez accounted for an interception.
Despite the disappointing loss, Vanecek sees this as a teaching moment for his team, which will look to improve on an ugly performance next week.
“This is a great opportunity. You have to wake up the next day and go to work. No one is going to do it for you,” he said.
“We correlate everything to life and what kind of men we want them to be.
Now, they have to show up tomorrow, run, lift, go through film and get ready for the next team.”
Thrall falls to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in district play.
The Tigers’ next matchup will be on the road against the Blanco Panthers on Friday, Oct. 18. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
